What is the perfect amount of points to own?

[thepops]

Just curious how did u downsize you points? Did u lose money? I ask because we have to many points... Now that my girls r getting older and they r busy with sports we don't have as much vacation time. I'm afraid points we r paying to have is a waste.

If you have multiple contracts (different resorts, or multiple add-ons at a single resort) you can sell off those other contracts to get your total number of points down. If they are all on one contract, you can't downsize (other than selling the whole thing and re-purchasing).

 

[dasani700]

We used to have 450 points at the BWV ...sold both contracts..150 and 300 points and then bought again at the BWV 150 points a few months ago... I miss my 450 and wish we had more but maybe someday we will add on

 

[a742246]

We have 310 points now. It works out fine for us, one of the problems we have about adding more is dog sitters.

 

[spiceycat]

Just curious how did u downsize you points? Did u lose money? I ask because we have to many points... Now that my girls r getting older and they r busy with sports we don't have as much vacation time. I'm afraid points we r paying to have is a waste.

yes sold my points - did I lose money - no - got rid of VB back when DVC tried to get rid of the discount older members got on their fees - so did not lose any money

got rid of OKW (which my brother still misses) to buy BLT - no regrets - love BLT- that one was close - had to lower my asking price - but again because brought OKW in 1993 did not lose.

still own small contracts at VWL and BWV - enough for 4 days

you could consider renting some of your points. that was I did for several years when had 450 points.

 

[Kidanifan08]

The perfect amount of points depends on how often you visit, for how long and what resort you prefer staying at. When we first bought in Oct, we thought we bought the perfect number of points -- 268! That was exactly the number needed for a 1BR at AKV-savanna during Magic season (we never anticipated going during Premiere, and still never plan to). Soon, we found out that we like to stay longer. Oh, and we like to take guests. Then DVC did a reallocation and it was now 272 points for the same 7 day stay. Fortunately we had developer points for our first stay at SSR in 2009; we had 2008 and 2009 points for our second DVC stay with family in 2009. Our third visit was during Adventure season in 2010, so we had enough points for a 2BR for 7 nights and brought friends.

Then I developed a raging case of addonitis in Feb 2011, just before the resale restrictions, and bought our first add-on contract of 50 points in March 2011. This was a very tough-to-cure case of addonitis and another 55 points came in May 2011. Finally I was cured -- until June 2012, when another bout of addonitis left us with another 105 points. Fortunately, all of these came with a fair number of banked points, so we have had extras to work with for the past two years.

Now, with 478 points at AKV, we can host friends or family in a 2BR for 7-9 days or go alone in a 1BR for 10-12 days! I do worry a little that with DS turning 7 and getting more involved in summer activities, we will eventually have more than we need. But, we can always stay in larger accommodations (can you say GV?!?!) or let friends or family "borrow" some points for a stay. Of course, we could add a long weekend during F&W every fall!

I must admit, I have recently had a nagging ache and low-grade fever and I think another case of addonitis is brewing, although this time for an Epcot resort. My DW is doing her best to help me fight this, but it may be resistant to her therapy!!

 

[Sandisw]

We currently have 330 but are in the process of adding on another 100. We figure that 430 will give my DH and I two long weekends a year, plus allow me to do my 6 to 7 night annual trip every summer in a 2 bedroom with family and friends.

Since my kids love Disney as much as we do, the plan is to buy them their own small contract to start--if they want--in a few years . This way, between those and what I own, we can confine the extended family trips down the road.

 

[DizBub]

My DH said that our original 210 points at BLT looked larger and much more impressive from a distance.......until our first DVC stay. We walked into the studio at BWV with a boardwalk view and said "Oh, we're gonna need more points!" :rotfl

 

[WilsonFlyer]

We own enough points to stay where we want, when we want booking at 11 months with some left over. The problem is the $9000 dues bill.

Bill

Simple logic says that if the latter is true, the former must be so.

 

[michelleiada]

I think 500-550 might be a good number for us. So when the time does come to add on, I wonder if I should add on at the same resort or another resorts?? Hmmm...decisions decisions! I love BCV but think I may like VWL for the holiday season!

 

[SamSam]

Dh and I look at DVC as a retirement home, as such we're looking to end up at somewhere around 1,200 points. Yes, the annual dues are a killer even now and will be more so when we have our 'dream' number of points....however, owning a second home or condo (in Orlando) and dealing with all costs with that would be even more so we feel just fine with what we're doing.

Right now we're at 810 points....slowly adding on.

 

[mditkof]

Dh and I look at DVC as a retirement home, as such we're looking to end up at somewhere around 1,200 points. Yes, the annual dues are a killer even now and will be more so when we have are 'dream' number of points....however, owning a second home or condo (in Orlando) and dealing with all costs with that would be even more so we feel just fine with what we're doing.

Right now we're at 810 points....slowly adding on.

Same with us. We are up to 1030.

Marty

 

[goofygurlie]

I like going to the DVC resorts enough that I could use all of the points that I could afford. I enjoy bringing the extended family and friends. BTW, it has nothing to do with Kool Aid some refer to here, I love going to my Cape May house and inviting extended family and friends. Sadly, few people come to visit me in Ohio!

There is no perfect number for me. We own around 1200 and we will buy some at the Grand Floridian.

Bobbi

Wow! You are my hero!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[bobbiwoz]

Like some others are planning, we already have used our DVC as a place to escape winters. I've been on Florida for up to 28 nights using DVC. Next year we'll be using points for 17 nights in January, 8 nights in December. Since we have a March UY, this is risky business, but March worked when I taught and we had Spring Break in March. I will not sell to buy another UY, we would lose too much money.

These are family vacations, as well as couple get always. 8 of us will do something during Marathon weekend next year.

 

[dahwolf]

Yeah, I agree that this number will vary for everyone. We are up to 625 points, (525 at BLT) and (100 at BWV) I think we are all set for a while, but the Grand Floridian will definitely be enticing... We are a family of 5 and often bring our in-laws, so the 2br is a must for most trips.... When we travel just the 5 of us, we get a 1br, but as the kids get older, I know we will want the 2br, (thus the thought we will need more points.) Right now this is what our budget can handle, so we will enjoy the 625 points we have, and we have no regrets....

 

[luckyman_apd]

We own enough points to stay where we want, when we want booking at 11 months with some left over. The problem is the $9000 dues bill.

Bill

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!

Now your posts make a lot more sense to me

We have only owned for a year, and already found ways to "sneak" in an extra trip.....like this easter for instance. Got a cruise as a gift for christmas (brother in law works for a cruise line) so we are using points for 2 nights before the cruise departs. We are going next December because our kids had SUCH a great at the MVMCP that we want to do it another year while they are still small. So there goes a full years worth of points we didn't plan on when purchasing.

As long as renting is allowed, I don't see us ever adding on. I'd love to have more points now that we are adding trips we didn't plan, but I don't want to raise my dues (as Bill noted above ) for every year we own. I figure already having a contract it would be easier to try to transfer points in for unscheduled trips, than to add on and end up with too many points in 5 - 10 years.

 

[tjkraz]

The "perfect" amount of points is the intersection between the number you can comfortably USE and the number you can comfortably AFFORD.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The "perfect" amount of points is the intersection between the number you can comfortably USE and the number you can comfortably AFFORD.

Nicely worded!

 

[k3chantal]

The "perfect" amount of points is the intersection between the number you can comfortably USE and the number you can comfortably AFFORD.

I really wish there was a 'like' button at times. This would be one of those moments.

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

WE HAVE 500 AND THAT IS JUST RIGHT

 

[Orsino]

As long as renting is allowed, I don't see us ever adding on. I'd love to have more points now that we are adding trips we didn't plan, but I don't want to raise my dues (as Bill noted above ) for every year we own. I figure already having a contract it would be easier to try to transfer points in for unscheduled trips, than to add on and end up with too many points in 5 - 10 years.

This is what we did. We went into massive point debt then bought transfer points to make up for the deficiency and get us back on track. My thought was that since DVC is new, we are more likely to overspend now. Like you, we didn't want to take on the long-term responsibility of more points.